Saeed,
Please hurry up and work up a load with Varget and the 142s. It will save me the trouble!
What twist is your barrel? Regards, Bill.

Gentlemen,

Here is an update.

Sierra 120 grain Match King - Molly coated
Federal 210M primers, Winchester brass, OAL 2.960"

All are 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

35.0 VVN 140 - 2537 fps - 0.325"
36.0 2647 - 0.286
37.0 2680 - 0.364
38.0 2731 - 0.350
39.0 2779 - 0.358
40.0 2829 - 0.243
41.0 2889 - 0.317
42.0 2987 - 0.300
43.0 3031 - 0.284
44.0 3103 - 0.172

Varget
36.0 2554 - 0.150
37.0 2632 - 0.236
38.0 2712 - 0.279
39.0 2761 - 0.256
40.0 2858 - 0.066
41.0 2899 - 0.180
42.0 2976 - 0.338
43.0 3059 - 0.389

Sierra 140 Match King

46.0 VVN 160 2667 - 0.328

40.0 2858 - 0.066 !

Looks like the Swede is more accurate than the .308

Are you doing this on average group size?
What's the 308 like?

Gentlemen,

Sorry I missed some of your questions.

The barrel has an 8 inch twist.

Group size is for each 5-shots at 100 yards.
If you mean have we shot several groups with the same load, the answer is no.

I will continue the test, but it would appear that any caliber, with the right components, will shot extremely accurately.

Gentlemen,

An update.

Sierra 120 grain Match King - Molly coated
Federal 210M primers, Winchester brass, OAL 2.960"

All are 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

35.0 VVN 140 - 2537 fps - 0.325"
36.0 2647 - 0.286
37.0 2680 - 0.364
38.0 2731 - 0.350
39.0 2779 - 0.358
40.0 2829 - 0.243
41.0 2889 - 0.317
42.0 2987 - 0.300
43.0 3031 - 0.284
44.0 3103 - 0.172

Varget
36.0 2554 - 0.150
37.0 2632 - 0.236
38.0 2712 - 0.279
39.0 2761 - 0.256
40.0 2858 - 0.066
41.0 2899 - 0.180
42.0 2976 - 0.338
43.0 3059 - 0.389

Sierra 140 Match King

46.0 VVN 160 2667 - 0.328
47.0 2735 - 0.218
48.0 2797 - 0.243
49.0 2862 - 0.274
50.0 2936 - 0.201
51.0 3002 - 0.338

With Aliiant Reloader 19

45.0 2683 - 0.153
46.0 2765 - 0.293
47.0 2836 - 0.282
48.0 2910 - 0.341
49.0 2999 - 0.304
50.0 3056 - 0.128

Lapua 138 Scenar

Varget

34.0 2397 - 0.262
35.0 2460 - 0.225
36.0 2538 - 0.209
37.0 2605 - 0.256

[ 10-05-2002, 12:00: Message edited by: Saeed ]

Gentlemen,

An update.

Sierra 120 grain Match King - Molly coated
Federal 210M primers, Winchester brass, OAL 2.960"

All are 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

35.0 VVN 140 - 2537 fps - 0.325"
36.0 2647 - 0.286
37.0 2680 - 0.364
38.0 2731 - 0.350
39.0 2779 - 0.358
40.0 2829 - 0.243
41.0 2889 - 0.317
42.0 2987 - 0.300
43.0 3031 - 0.284
44.0 3103 - 0.172

Varget
36.0 2554 - 0.150
37.0 2632 - 0.236
38.0 2712 - 0.279
39.0 2761 - 0.256
40.0 2858 - 0.066
41.0 2899 - 0.180
42.0 2976 - 0.338
43.0 3059 - 0.389

Sierra 140 Match King

46.0 VVN 160 2667 - 0.328
47.0 2735 - 0.218
48.0 2797 - 0.243
49.0 2862 - 0.274
50.0 2936 - 0.201
51.0 3002 - 0.338

With Aliiant Reloader 19

45.0 2683 - 0.153
46.0 2765 - 0.293
47.0 2836 - 0.282
48.0 2910 - 0.341
49.0 2999 - 0.304
50.0 3056 - 0.128

Lapua 138 Scenar

Varget

34.0 2397 - 0.262
35.0 2460 - 0.225
36.0 2538 - 0.209
37.0 2605 - 0.256
38.0 2660 - 0.226
39.0 2731 - 0.234
40.0 2797 - 0.283
41.0 2866 - 0.340
42.0 2919 - 0.259
43.0 2941 - 0.305

Hodgdon H 4350

41.0 2635 - 0.189
42.0 2701 - 0.296

Gentlemen,

I have finished the loads for this one.

You can see the results here.

6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser

Thats going to be hard to beat.

I been off line for a while, due to a move. I have a few rifles in 6.5 x 55. Its one of my favorite cartridges, since I shoot nothing but hunting bullets, my groups , in my hunting rifles run any where from 0.5 to a big 0.965 of an inch with 160 gr hornadays on a 200 yard target. The 160's are my favorite for game shooting.

The cartridge is very easy to load for, I just fill it with RL-22. You should take one to africa, and shoot some game with one, Saeed you will like it a lot.

Geroge,

Glad to have you back.

I would love to take the 6.5x55 to Africa, as well as many other cartridges.
Trouble is I hate to travel with more than two rifles, and while after buffalo and elephant, I just prefer to keep to my old pair of faithful 375/404.

Saeed,

Let me guess....blue metallic gun and a camo truck??? You can sneak up close with the truck and then stick the gun out the window and blind 'em. Easy pick'ns!!!

Saed, well done.

When I was choosing caliber for my new CZ-550 I was recomended to choose 6,5x55 because is is simply better told me gunsmith. I have agreed even I was more to buy .308 . Today I am happy that I have it, even there is not so big offer of too many bullets for this diameter as for .30 . Some time ago I have found that LAPUA is the right what my riffle needs. I use Lapua brass, Scenar bullets for fun, Coated for sport and varmint and MEGA for hunting. This calliber is simply perfect (if you do not hunt big five) for that pupose I prefer .375 but for europe is 6,5x55 fine.

Saeed, like me you are just don't want to carry more that one or two rifles. I understand that, mos of the time I just take a 338 and leave it at that. But the little 6.5's had a good run in Africa back in the glory days. The swede, RL-22 and any number of good 6.5 bullets that are around today just make's it so much better. I do have one of those fine M-1903's Mannilicher Schoenaur's in 6.5 x 54.